Enter your mobile number or email address below and we'll send you a link to download the free Kindle App. Then you can start reading Kindle books on your smartphone, tablet, or computer - no Kindle device required.

Ernest Shackleton was the quintessential Edwardian hero. A contemporary - and adversary - of Scott, he sailed on the 'Discovery' expedition of 1900, and went on to mount three expeditions of his own. Like Scott, he was a social adventurer; snow and ice held no particular attraction, but the pursuit of wealth, fame and power did. Yet Shackleton, and Anglo-Irishman who left school at 16, needed status to raise money for his own expeditions. At various times he was involved in journalism, politics, manufacturing and City fortune-hunting - none of them very effectively. A frustrated poet, he was never to be successful with money, but he did succeed in marrying it. At his height he was feted as a national hero, knighted by Edward VII, and granted £20,000 by the government for achievements which were, and remain, the very stuff of legend. But the world to which he returned in 1917 after the sensational 'Endurance' expedition did not seem to welcome surviving heroes. Poverty-stricken by the end of the war, he had to pay off his debts through writing and endless lecturing. He finally obtained funds for another expedition, but dies of a heart attack, aged only 47, at it reached South Georgia.

Top customer reviews

There was a problem filtering reviews right now. Please try again later.

Another excellent Polar book from Huntford, covering the life and times of Ernest Shackleton in fairly extensive detail. The majority of the book is based round his three expeditions in 1902, 1907 and 1914, which are covered in detail (Discovery more so than in previous books) but the description of his life in between is also fascinating. Like Huntford's book on Scott/Amundsen, it is warts and all, not simply wishing to paint a heroic picture, but Shack comes over as a fighter, albeit narrow minded in some ways particularly relating to transport. If he had taken dogs on his 1907 expedition he surely would have been first at the pole.I read this book on a transatlantic flight and the time flew. Highly recommended.

Sir Ernest Shackleton was, during his lifetime, a controversial figure, but there is little about this biography that a reader will find controversial. Huntford clearly admires Shackleton, but he doesn't gloss over the faults of the man -- and there were many. Whatever faults there were, however, Huntford rightly says that one must respect Shackleton for never having lost a single man on any of his expeditions, whereas Huntford baldly points out that Robert Scott, Shackleton's rival, "killed" the whole of his team. In fact, the glimpses of Scott in this book are tantalising (Huntford wrote an earlier volume on Scott and Amundsen), since Huntford clearly has little respect for Scott, considering him to be power-mad, stubborn, insecure, vindictive, even paranoid, but courageous in a peculiarly Edwardian British way. One is amazed at how incompetent all the early British Antarctic explorers were when it came to equipment, sledging techniques, rations etc. Where Shackleton shines in Huntford's eyes is in his ability to inspire and lead men, leading by courage and example, without thought of his own position, and it is indeed an inspiring story. Huntford's description of the famous 1915 expedition, and the epic, heroic open boat voyage across the South Atlantic from Elephant Island to South Georgia is told in great, nail-biting detail: one is breathless reading this long but intriguing section. The book is certainly long, but it never drags, the narrative is always balanced, the prose spare but flowing. In short, a remarkable book about a truly remarkable man.

I have admired both Shackleton and Scott as long as I can remember, and since becoming an adult decided to buy books on both to reaquaint myself with their stories. I have just finished Scott of The Antarctic, by David Crane. A very balanced view, totally recommended. Now I come to Shackleton. I have tried reading this book, really tried, but I have finally given up. This author is so totally biased against Scott it cannot be hidden. Mr Huntford has some problem with Robert Falcon Scott, but why? He sits as judge and jury over a dead man, cutting Scott's character to pieces with his critism. I am now having to buy another book on Shackleton to get a truthful account of his life, because I cannot trust a book written by this man. I wouldn't waste my money again on this author.

A generally excellent read. Drags a bit at the start, but then gets into its stride with an absorbing account of an almost unheralded polar explorer - in contrast to Scott whom history has handed all the plaudits. The book redresses the balance a little in that Scott always seems to be criticised when he is mentioned, though Shackleton doesn't escape criticism.Shackleton was quite a character and the book gets this across well. The Endurance expedition was astonishing, incredible, amazing and Shackleton is now one of my heroes.

This book takes a similar approach to Lyn MacDonald's acclaimed series on the First World War. It builds a reality from eye witness accounts and diaries and is utterly compelling. The story of fortitude and endurance is astonishing, and it confirms that the people of that time were hardier than now and quite possibly constituted of a different fibre than you would find in the UK today. The stupidity and (as another reviewer has noted) insularity are also jaw-dropping. The Good Old British Amateur Gentleman tradition would see them through, come what may. They didn't even bother to learn to ski! Actually, they didn't take skis - or enough dogs - preferring horses (the one place you will still find the Great British Amateur Tradition is in the upper echelons of the British Civil Service). By the way: the James Caird - the boat used by Shackleton for his epic voyage to South Georgia from Elephant island - can be seen at Dulwich College, South London. Read this book.